Please Help with ALASKA Fishing Vacation Advice!!

[hookedoncostarica]

Greetings from Costa Rica;

I am turning to the forums in hopes of finding some solid advice as to the best outfitter and location in Alaska to plan a fishing vacation there this July. Alaska is the last destination on my list of places I have always wanted to fish, and have'nt.

I have done a bit of research and July seems to be a great time to Fish for King Salmon and Halibut, which is what we are looking to catch.

If you or anyone you know has been to Alaska and had a first class experience, PLEASE share the name of the operation you booked with, where you fished, and any contact information you can offer. Cost is not an issue and we are looking to fish 2days Salmon, 2 days Halibut, see Bears, Kayak, and do a float plane tour.

I saw a post somewhere and cant remember what forum, where some members did a whole fishing expedition on ATV/Quads, and back country fishing. That looked pretty awesome as well.

Thanks for any info you can post here or email me at info@hookedoncostarica.com

[bigg09]

it has been years, but we fished up a little north for kings i believe in july with Mahays riverboat service. The guide service was second to none and was very pleased. they are not near the coast so you would have to travel back south to do the coastal fishing for halibut. We did see bear and moose on our fishing trip. they take care of fish cleaning, freezing and shipping. There are plane tours in the area. The river experience as opposed to the coastal trout salmon fishing is really superior in my opinion. nothing like having a king spool you or nearly in a river grey hounding down the river. have a fun trip. I hope to do it again this summer too.
Casey
here is a link to their site
http://www.mahaysriverboat.com/alask....com/index.htm

[Ronak]

I operated my own boat in Ketchikan from 1989-2003, but had about a dozen occasions to visit various lodges in Southeast Alaska. Four of those trips were to Waterfall Resort on the west side of Prince of Wales Island. For King Salmon and halibut, Waterfall is unbeatable, and I would make it late June or early July. If Willi is still general manager of the lodge, he will take grreat care of you. Wild life viewing is, also, good there, but they have no brown bears on the island.

Ron Hemby

[Ronak]

I forgot to mention that Waterfall Lodge has their general offices in Ketchikan, Guests fly into Ketchikan International, where float planes pick them up for the 40-minute flight to the lodge. I also recommend the August coho fishing, whale watching, etc.

Ron

[IglooMan]

For big Kings, Halibut and Lingcod I would strongly recommend Capt Steve Smith out of Deep Creek/Ninilchik. He comes from a long line of great fishermen. His Dad and brothers run boats on the San Francisco Bay.

One of Steves customers was recently accepted for the new world record Lingcod of 82.6 pounds (photos below).

http://www.captainstevesfishinglodge.com/


I would also recommend Capt Andy Mezirow at Crackerjack Sportfishing out of Seward. Great guy and catches a lot of fish.

http://www.crackerjackcharters.com



First 5 photos are from Capt Steve's.
Last one is from CrackerJack Sportfishing.

[sdyarman]

http://www.islandpointlodge.com/
Check this out. I made a trip up there years ago with a different out fitter.But if i go again it will be with this outfitter.Have spoke with this guy several times seem like a realy good deal.

[Captain Fred Archer]

I second Captain Steve and Crackerjack. Both are absolutely topnotch. I have never been to either place, but know lot of folks who have and they rave about both places.

Forget the ATV's if there are brown bears around! !

[FASTWATER]

Kain's fishing adventures in Sitka is about as good as it gets but don't dally on any connection to a good place in Alaska as the better outfitters are usually booked up by the end of next month!!!PEACE

[AK_angler]

Well...I would stick to the Kenai Peninsula for most of your fishing. The Kenai River has the biggest king (chinook) salmon than any other river in the world..and this can't be argued. Kings run in the Kenai from mid May and close Aug 1st. July is probably the best time to fish the Kenai because the Reds (sockey salmon) are running THICK and there are usually more Kings in the river also. There is also some very good trout fishing in the upper part of the river and it is also open during this period. Halibut fishing in Cook inlet is pretty good during this time also. You could take a short drive down to Ninilchik or Homer or you could drive toward Anchorage and go to Seward. If you talk to most of the people who have fishing Alaska I really don't think you are going to find ayone to disagree that the Kenai River is it. The only downside is that there are a bunch of people that agree. I grew up on the Kenai River so I am a little partial. You can pm me if you have any questions or post them here and I'll check the thread and answer them. If you are in the area when I am not at work I may even be able to take you fishing.

[Jay W]

Capt. Andy with Crackerjack in Seward. He can answer all your questions. He likes to fish in Mexico and Central America during the winter, so you guys could trade some intel. Give him a call he's good. crackerjackcharters.com